The tire has been replaced, we'll be on the road home tomorrow, so hopefully that's the end of the story for now. I can change a tire as easily as the next guy, but all the additional nuance from this group really helps build the understanding and knowledge. I'm thankful for this community!
It really has been quite a weekend. There's all the tire stuff you know about, but there's more too. When the tire blew out we weren't on the side of the road for too long until the highway patrolman stopped to check out the situation. He was so helpful. When I was getting the spare off the spare carrier the bolts were NOT cooperative. (The square part of the bolt had stripped out the soft metal of the carrier.) I just didn't have the right tools to wrestle with it. The patrolman was an RVer too, and he said, "I live 5 miles from here. I'll go get some tools. Unless another call comes in that takes priority I'll be right back." Sure enough, he was back with a vice grip, and a sawzall. He ended up sawing the bolt off and helped put the tire on, and I was on the way to the campground! When I got to the campground (and mostly set up), roadside assistance FINALLY called to say they're on the way.
It's been a very rainy weekend. No problems, though, because we chose this destinatio so we could see our oldest daughter who's in grad school now. We must have reached the "parents must be cool" stage again, because she skipped staying in her apartment and stayed in the camper with us (me, my wife, and her two younger siblings). It was just like old times again! :-)
So yes, the blowout and the rain could've wrecked the weekend. But getting the family together for a camping weekend like we used to do ... that made it all worthwhile!
Thanks again for the comments, suggestions, and advice, everyone!
